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2023/2024  KAN-CMIBO1041U  Entrepreneurship: Theory and Evidence

English Title
Entrepreneurship: Theory and Evidence

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course First Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for cand.merc. and GMA (CM)
Course coordinator
  • Vera Rocha - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 01-06-2023

Relevant links

Learning objectives
  • Prove evidence of a comprehensive knowledge of the concepts and theories used in the course
  • Prove evidence of a thorough understanding of both research- and case-based knowledge regarding the different topics covered in the course
  • Be able to actively discuss real business settings, by applying the theoretical knowledge and empirical research findings to interpret them, and critically evaluate the validity of entrepreneurial strategies. More in particular (see the next three points):
  • Critically analyze a business case and assess the pros and cons of different tactics and entrepreneurial strategies based on theoretical and empirical insights
  • Find and evaluate relevant literature and empirical evidence to support the analysis of specific topics covered by the course
  • Critically assess the validity of statements based on empirical research and use this critical thinking to evaluate the strength of the conclusions that can be drawn from specific empirical studies and business cases
Examination
Entrepreneurship: Theory and Evidence:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Group exam
Please note the rules in the Programme Regulations about identification of individual contributions.
Number of people in the group 4-5
Size of written product Max. 20 pages
Max. 20 pages (if groups of 5 students; max. 16 pages by groups of 4)
Assignment type Written assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 7 days to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The final assignment is a take-home written assignment in which students, in groups of four or five, will critically analyze new business cases and address questions related to the topics of the course. The written assignment has two parts:

 

 - In the first part, each student should answer a group of questions related to the topics of the course, based on a new business case (to be provided). Students will receive a list of questions and each student in the group must answer 1 package of questions individually (in a maximum of 3 pages). The packages of questions (A, B, C…) will be pre-set and cannot be changed. Groups of 5 (4) students will have a maximum of 15 pages to answer those questions. The students in the group must decide how to allocate the selected questions between themselves.

 

 - In the second part, the group, altogether, must select a start-up of their choice (ideally, a firm that has been founded within the past 5 years, in Denmark or elsewhere), describe their main business, formulate a research question and choose at least one theoretical framework from the course to analyze the start-up and answer the proposed question (maximum 4 pages). Students are highly encouraged to assess a startup that addresses a relevant societal problem and/or illustrates the waves of digital transformation (e.g., by leveraging digitalization, big data, artificial intelligence).

 

The submitted assignment must, thus, include a maximum of 20 pages for groups of 5 (16 pages for groups of 4). This page limit does not include references, cover page, or any eventual appendices.

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course intends to cover the several elements of the entrepreneurial process – the individual entrepreneur, the idea generation and implementation processes, the main challenges faced by the founder (or founding team), and their importance for the success of the new venture. The content of the course will therefore be organized around the following topics:

 

  • Entrepreneurship and Career Dynamics
  • Founding Team Formation and Hiring Dilemmas
  • Entrepreneurial Strategy
  • Business Model Design and Testing; Business Model Types
  • Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Growth Paths; Failing to Scale; Founder Exit/Succession

 

These topics will be covered in two ways:

 

  1. a theoretical component, based on lectures covering the key theoretical frameworks, which students should complement with the suggested references (textbooks, academic papers, and/or more applied articles); short videos may occasionally complement some of the theoretical part of the course.
  2. an evidence-based component, based on the discussion and analysis of real business cases.

 

Central to this course is the continuous integration between theoretical insights from the lectures and their application to the analyses of business cases. Key takeaways for entrepreneurial practice will be derived at the end of each topic. This integration will be complemented by guest speakers and real life examples prepared by the students in voluntary assignments and/or discussed in class.

The order in which these parts are covered may be adjusted in some topics, if relevant.

 

The participation of students is crucial in all three parts of each topic.

Students are expected to prepare the cases and a set of questions to be discussed in specified classes, and to gather information about a specific topic, research question, or a particular firm, to be debated in certain sessions.The theoretical component of the course will also require preparatory readings of academic and applied articles. This preparatory work is encouraged to be done in groups, as a preparation for case discussions and the final exam.

 

Description of the teaching methods
This course is taught using a combination of business cases, lectures (based on textbooks and academic papers), guest speakers and a few supporting videos (whenever relevant), with an emphasis on case discussions in the classroom. High quality case discussions require an active participation and preparation of the students. Moreover, the application of theoretical knowledge and insights based on readings and cases to practical examples will form an important element of most classes.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course will include two voluntary assignments that give the students the chance to get detailed feedback on their progress.

Assignment 1:

Group assignment with peer feedback and general feedback from the instructor.

Home assignment in groups of 4-5 students. The students are presented with a new business case and a set of questions. The students must write a short and well-structured assignment, using theory from the course, research-based evidence, and case-based evidence to answer the questions (maximum 2 standard pages per assignment/group). The goal is to prepare the students for the final exam and give them feedback on their performance and understanding of the learning objectives of the course.

This home assignment will be set up on the platform Peergrade, where each group will be assigned to three other groups, whom they should give feedback to. Clear criteria for peer feedback will be given, and students will be encouraged to justify their feedback. Each group will automatically receive a final score based on the quality of their submission (graded by others) and the quality of the feedback they give to others. The instructor will analyze all the submissions and give general feedback to the students (in class or via Canvas).


Assignment 2:

Group assignment applying a theoretical framework from the course to a startup of your choice

In groups of 4-5, students must choose a start-up (a firm founded within the past five years, in Denmark or elsewhere) to analyze one of the topics from the course (e.g., founding team formation, startup financing, entrepreneurial strategy) and apply it to a real startup setting. They can choose a startup featured on a documentary or podcast, or they can analyze a founder/founding team they get to know via their own network or Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship. Students are highly encouraged to assess a startup that addresses a relevant societal problem and/or illustrates the waves of digital transformation (e.g., by leveraging digitalization, big data, artificial intelligence). The students must briefly describe the startup and their business (or business idea), pick a topic/framework from the course (e.g., the 3R model for team formation, the entrepreneurial strategy compass, financing choices) and apply it to the startup of their choice. The students may hand-in their analysis via a short slide deck (max. 5 slides) or a short video presenting their analysis (max. 2 minutes). Feedback will be provided through Canvas and/or during office hours.

Besides these two voluntary assignments, all students will receive continuous feedback in class in connection with case discussions.

Student workload
Teaching 36 hours
Preparation 100 hours
Exam 70 hours
Expected literature

Wasserman, N. (2013), "The founder's dilemmas: Anticipating and avoiding the pitfalls that can sink a startup", Princeton University Press.

 

A list of more detailed literature and cases will be provided in a compendium before the beginning of the course. Some cases must be downloaded from the Harvard Business Publishing Education homepage and paid for.

 

Last updated on 01-06-2023